<p>I'm auditioning for music education this weekend for voice.
What is appropriate to wear? I have a plethora of dresses to chose from. Is tasteful strapless out? MUST it be black? or is print ok?
Any advise would be well greeted as I need to pack....tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks.</p>
<p>A couple of past “What to wear threads” </p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/351412-vocal-audition-what-wear.html?highlight=audition+dress[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/351412-vocal-audition-what-wear.html?highlight=audition+dress</a>
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/299767-audition-dress-code.html?highlight=audition+dress[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/299767-audition-dress-code.html?highlight=audition+dress</a></p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Just to respond to your specific questions, do not wear strapless of any kind. The shoulders should be covered. You certainly don’t have to do black or solid, but be careful that a print does not distract at all. Definitely wear stockings or tights. Some heel is fine but not a high heel.</p>
<p>Okay. I’m the mother of boys. Only boys. And I’m not a prude…I think. But, in my view, strapless is inapprorpriate in any professional or business context. Period. Appropriate at parties, weddings, maybe nightclub singing. But definitely not at a college audition. </p>
<p>Also, for what it’s worth: I am a (nonmusic) university professor and have, over the years, heard many many private complaints from my male colleagues about female students dressing inappropriately, in class perhaps but in particular during one-on-one meetings. These professional males are uncomfortable with the sexuality injected into the situation.</p>
<p>Mom of a last year auditioner here. It seemed that most girls were dressed in skirt (make it at least knee length), and nice blouse or sweater or maybe a fairly conservative dress. Panty hose and flats or low heels. It is not necessary to wear cocktail party-ish attire! You will be very safe with classy and conservative- no shoulders, thighs or cleavage please! Simple jewelry. Make the attention on your voice, not your clothes and accessories!</p>
<p>Agree, it is an auditorium not a recital. Look professional, dressy but not evening wear. DD had a jersey knit dress that traveled well, 3/4 length sleeve, knee length, faux wrap, good drape. 2" heels. It was black but did not need to be. She still uses it for juries at school.</p>
<p>Singersmom - sounds like our Ds had the same dress. She has also used hers for jury and auditions at college. We found it at a mall in Columbus when she was visiting a school - the best find ever. </p>
<p>My D’s shoes had about a 2 inch heel. She started wearing them to all of her voice lessons and other performances several months before auditions so she was completely comfortable in them.</p>
<p>Wow! I wore a very similar dress to my auditions. It’s a black cotton wrap dress from American Apparel. It was sort of low cut, so I wore a black camisole underneath and some black tights and flats. I felt that my outfit was very appropriate and I wore little make-up and just wore my hair down in natural waves. I feel that this approach is the best. I saw so many girls that were very “done up” and with heavy make-up and flashy dresses. Best to be conservative, but still stylish! :)</p>
<p>And I should not type so fast - it’s an audition, not auditorium. Auto-correct can kill you. The audition/jury is more like an interview. You would not wear evening wear to an interview. A recital on the other hand - we have purchased more gowns for DD than I want to count - I am really good at haunting sale racks.</p>
<p>When I was going through the audition process I was told to wear business wear with flair. I was told no strapless dresses because they can mess up your posture. I wore a black dress with a bright red half sweater and these cool lacy tights and black flats paired with a red headband. Now I always try to pick something I will be remembered in. I have one little black dress and then I have a yellow dress from BCBG I borrow from one of my friends.</p>
<p>Reminder-- it’s still showbiz. A teensy bit of cleavage will never, ever hurt. Don’t go over the top-- you don’t want to look trashy, or like you’re in a beauty pageant. But you also don’t want to look like a prettier-than-average secretary. Think of the clothing you would wear to a night at the opera-- and then wear that. You can absolutely show your shoulders, if your shoulders are nice to look at. One general rule, though-- never show your toes. Do not wear sandals! Even peep toes are suspect. You will be amazed at how professional that perfect cocktail dress looks when you pair it with conservative black pumps. Also, stay away from black pantyhose, unless your outfit very specifically needs it. They make most people look like displaced choir members.</p>
<p>I don’t agree for college auditions. I say no cleavage and no bare shoulders. My D’s voice teacher in high school was very particular about the proper attire for auditions and had the kids dress for their bi monthly recitals as if they were auditioning - no bare shoulders, no short skirts, no cleavage.</p>
<p>Im with Cartera. No cleavage, no shoulders, no short skirts. D just finished her grad auditions and as a Mezzo who does a lot of pants roles, she wears a black wool suit (with pants). Her teacher, who still has a substantial career, is very specific as to what D wears to auditions and recitals.
I only accompanied her to one audition last month and the glitzy dresses did not look appropriate at all—especially before lunch. Even for recitals D’s teacher dictates “NO SPARKLES BEFORE 7pm!!!”</p>
<p>Agree with the “no sparkles” and no strapless dresses, nothing super-short and certainly no plunging necklines. My D’s voice teacher tells a story about a young singer at a competition who was dressed nicely, but had on bright green flip flops!! She was on a stage and the judges were in the first rows so that her feet were even more evident!The footwear didn’t go over well at all. But many female singers do wear high heels and some will tell you that they “can’t sing in flats”! Whatever you are going to wear, make sure you check it out with your teacher and, if possible, try a “dry run”, wearing the same oufit for a competition or, if that’s not possible, wear it all to a lesson and make sure everything is comfortable and gives you enough “room” to sing and to move.</p>
<p>Don’t agree about the cleavage. DD’s black dress was one for an evening out, not cocktail but had a nice wrap, sweetheart neckline that definitely showed some cleavage. Her (male) teacher told her not to be afraid to lead with the “girls”. Helped her keep her shoulders back and stand straight. She also had very conservative but small peek-a-boo 2" black heels that she still wears for juries and auditions they are so comfortable. The whole ensemble did not look trashy or over the top sexy, just elegant. She wore to lessons to make sure she was approved and comfortable and did not fuss with anything while she was singing. .</p>
<p>Even though I have a son in VP, I have witnessed lots of girls. I think the elegent road is the one to take. As far as cleavage and heels. I think a small amount of both is probably ok. The main thing is how the girl carries if off. Some young women are so very comfortable with a little cleavage you hardly notice it, others it is either too sexual or awkward. Who hasn’t seen a young woman in high heels that is just one step from a trip. Or the ones who “clump” along. If a young woman can walk with grace and confidence it makes all of the difference</p>
<p>Xox, I’m not sure about that dress-- I can’t see what the fabric is like from the photo. If it’s a thicker, heavier fabric, I think it could work well with some dark pumps, but if it’s a light-weight cotton dress, then it’s a bit too informal-- nice for a wedding or garden party, but not professional enough for an audition.</p>
<p>Re: all this talk of cleavage and shoulders. Unless you are auditioning at a Baptist college or somewhere equally conservative, no one will be offended by bare shoulders. I like the word “elegant” that people are using-- that’s exactly what you should strive for. Can a sleeveless dress and hint of cleavage be elegant? Absolutely. Try stealing ideas from classic style icons like Audrey Hepburn.</p>
<p>Or look at what Michelle Obama is wearing now. Her dresses are elegant. If you look at the colors and drape of her knee length dresses you will get the idea.</p>
<p>its a heavier dress. its silk with another layer under it. it was a pretty heafty price at anthropologie. And honestly, I am transferring from an Opera Conservatory that…wants you to show your assets. We had several classes on how to dress for recitals and auditions. the head of the department there says that if you have the body to wear something tasteful and classy that shows some cleavage or leg, or shoulders, you should. but its stressed that it must be classy. look at the business today, look at the operas, there is always a scene where people are scantily clad. I’m not saying that you should go audition in a clubbing dress that leaves nothing to the imagination, but the directors who cast the operas want to know you can pull off the scene in the Coronation of Poppea where all you’ve got to wear is…a sheet.</p>
<p>“Unless you are auditioning at a Baptist college or somewhere equally conservative, no one will be offended by bare shoulders.”
I beg to differ. There is a lot riding on college auditions. And there are plenty of professionals who will take points off for just wearing open toed shoes.(do a little search on nfcs.net re shoes) This is not a matter of taste, but just reality. Its just one of those goofy rules.( And this is not a religious point of view.)
But then again----if youve got a remarkable voice, Im sure you could pull the audition off dressed in just about anything.</p>